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I Have Waited, and You Have Come
The world has been ravaged by climate change and Rachel is left to fend for herself. Living amid a clutch of disparate communities whose inhabitants she avoids, she rarely ventures beyond the safety of the storm wall. When Jez disturbs her twilight existence, Rachel finds herself somewhere between stalking and being stalked.
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First published November 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 13, 2017
Weird and pretty troubling book. I had a hard one getting into this one, but pursued and have to say, the 2nd half of the book drew me in... I still have to let this one sink in really. Set in a post-apocalyptic landscape, full of dark rain and wind, Rachel lives a solitary existence, a life of paranoia? The author says, it isn't a novel about climate change, it's about the impact of extreme change on a person's environment and behaviour. Weather-induced madness. The cover says "if you like your books dark and disturbing, this is for you". True enough. I think I need some lighter material for a change now...
June 21, 2013
A bleak prediction of the consequences of rising sea levels, McDonagh's book is set in a nightmare vision of Cheshire in the not-too-distant future: "When we first came here the golf course was a progression of green velvet swirls. Later it became the makeshift burial ground for the first wave of victims."
Rachel lives alone in a semi-fortified mill, where she is subject to the attention of a sinister stalker, who makes use of the fact that there are still – for the time being at least – functioning phonelines to breathe down. The most disturbing dystopias are those which feel closest at hand; and McDonagh indicates how swiftly society reverts to tooth-and-claw primitivism, though the plot follows a fairly predictable course – it seems inevitable that Rachel's unwanted admirer should keep a graphic, masturbatory journal which she finds and reads. Fans of post-apocalyptic parables will be well pleased; and there is something to be said for a deluge that does away with Kerry Katona and all those Wags' palaces round Alderley Edge.
A deeply atmospheric, dystopian or ‘spec fic’ novella that is part environmental disaster story and part psychological thriller.
Rather than looking at the bigger picture of the disaster the author presents a very intimate look at one survivor’s struggle to cope with her environment, the loneliness and an increasingly deteriorating mental state.
Relentlessly grim, full of mud, & never ending rain that reminded me a little of The Road.
A compelling and strongly written debut and I will look forward to reading more from this author.
Rachel lives alone in a semi-fortified mill, where she is subject to the attention of a sinister stalker, who makes use of the fact that there are still – for the time being at least – functioning phonelines to breathe down. The most disturbing dystopias are those which feel closest at hand; and McDonagh indicates how swiftly society reverts to tooth-and-claw primitivism, though the plot follows a fairly predictable course – it seems inevitable that Rachel's unwanted admirer should keep a graphic, masturbatory journal which she finds and reads. Fans of post-apocalyptic parables will be well pleased; and there is something to be said for a deluge that does away with Kerry Katona and all those Wags' palaces round Alderley Edge.
A deeply atmospheric, dystopian or ‘spec fic’ novella that is part environmental disaster story and part psychological thriller.
Rather than looking at the bigger picture of the disaster the author presents a very intimate look at one survivor’s struggle to cope with her environment, the loneliness and an increasingly deteriorating mental state.
Relentlessly grim, full of mud, & never ending rain that reminded me a little of The Road.
A compelling and strongly written debut and I will look forward to reading more from this author.
February 12, 2012
A story of survival and obsession in a world brought to its knees.
When Jez White disturbs Rachel’s solitary existence she finds herself being drawn into a murky territory somewhere between stalking and being stalked. This powerful is by turns sensual and sinister, and conjures up an all-too-believable near future – of isolated communities, wild weather and strange allegiances.
I Have Waited, and You Have Come is a character study that follows the life of a woman who shuts herself away from the world as it starts to fall apart due to global warming.
As her story unfolds, I have to admit that I found my feelings towards Rachel changing on almost a chapter-by-chapter basis. She chooses to live an isolated existence, purposefully avoiding human contact whenever possible. The relationship she had with her previous partner ended badly, and this has undoubtedly left a mark. Her increasingly fragile grasp on reality and deteriorating mental state make her come across as quite abrupt and standoffish at times. There were moments when part of me felt sorry for the situation she was in, but another part of me couldn’t help but feel that some of her problems were due to her cutting herself off from what’s left of humanity. It’s a strength of the writing, and the insight that I gained into Rachel’s character, that the author was able elicit these feelings. It’s not often I get so drawn in.
Rachel’s feelings towards Jez and vice versa have a fluid, almost ambiguous quality that allows for a lot of the interactions that occur to be open to different interpretations. Is Jez stalking Rachel? Is she stalking him? Is Rachel imagining it all? Is the whole situation nothing more than a figment of Rachel’s tortured imagination?
Though less evidence is presented, it is also clear that Jez is also suffering from the stresses of a world that that is slowly collapsing. He has his own demons and the relationship that these two share is obsessive on both sides.
This is an extremely intimate story, both characters divulge their innermost thoughts but the majority of the novel is written from Rachel’s point of view. A lot of the information that the reader discovers is learnt via her slightly skewed perspective of the world. There are however some short extracts from Jez’s diary, which offer glimpses into his mind. It is only in the final chapter that any detail of how other survivors view them both is finally revealed.
At only one hundred and seventy pages long, it’s not difficult to read the entire story in a single sitting and it is certainly compelling enough to do just that. I’m still thinking about this book days after I finished reading it. The science fiction element was the initial hook that drew me in but there is so much more to consider – the nature of obsessive behaviour, how differing perspectives can offer completely different interpretations of the same event. This is a thought provoking novel that is deceptively chilling.
I Have Waited, and You Have come is re-released on 14th February 2012 and is published by Myriad Editions.
When Jez White disturbs Rachel’s solitary existence she finds herself being drawn into a murky territory somewhere between stalking and being stalked. This powerful is by turns sensual and sinister, and conjures up an all-too-believable near future – of isolated communities, wild weather and strange allegiances.
I Have Waited, and You Have Come is a character study that follows the life of a woman who shuts herself away from the world as it starts to fall apart due to global warming.
As her story unfolds, I have to admit that I found my feelings towards Rachel changing on almost a chapter-by-chapter basis. She chooses to live an isolated existence, purposefully avoiding human contact whenever possible. The relationship she had with her previous partner ended badly, and this has undoubtedly left a mark. Her increasingly fragile grasp on reality and deteriorating mental state make her come across as quite abrupt and standoffish at times. There were moments when part of me felt sorry for the situation she was in, but another part of me couldn’t help but feel that some of her problems were due to her cutting herself off from what’s left of humanity. It’s a strength of the writing, and the insight that I gained into Rachel’s character, that the author was able elicit these feelings. It’s not often I get so drawn in.
Rachel’s feelings towards Jez and vice versa have a fluid, almost ambiguous quality that allows for a lot of the interactions that occur to be open to different interpretations. Is Jez stalking Rachel? Is she stalking him? Is Rachel imagining it all? Is the whole situation nothing more than a figment of Rachel’s tortured imagination?
Though less evidence is presented, it is also clear that Jez is also suffering from the stresses of a world that that is slowly collapsing. He has his own demons and the relationship that these two share is obsessive on both sides.
This is an extremely intimate story, both characters divulge their innermost thoughts but the majority of the novel is written from Rachel’s point of view. A lot of the information that the reader discovers is learnt via her slightly skewed perspective of the world. There are however some short extracts from Jez’s diary, which offer glimpses into his mind. It is only in the final chapter that any detail of how other survivors view them both is finally revealed.
At only one hundred and seventy pages long, it’s not difficult to read the entire story in a single sitting and it is certainly compelling enough to do just that. I’m still thinking about this book days after I finished reading it. The science fiction element was the initial hook that drew me in but there is so much more to consider – the nature of obsessive behaviour, how differing perspectives can offer completely different interpretations of the same event. This is a thought provoking novel that is deceptively chilling.
I Have Waited, and You Have come is re-released on 14th February 2012 and is published by Myriad Editions.
July 13, 2013
"I Have waited and You have Come" from Martine Mcdonagh is a little gem of a tale that absorbed me into its pages and kept me up last night...groan...caffeine required!
Set in a Post Apocalyptic world, we follow Rachel who fends for herself and spends as little time as possible in the company of other survivors. Then she seemingly attracts a stalker, someone who invades her solitary existence...and everything changes.
This is very much a character driven novel. The relationship between Rachel and Jez is intriguingly difficult to contemplate - exactly who is stalking who? Ms Mcdonagh has done a terrific job of exploring the nature of obsession - and the world in which these characters reside make that all the more disturbing. I was wondering a lot of the way through how much was simply inside Rachel's head - and it is mostly her story although we do hear from Jez through the form of diary entries. Her mental state, already fragile at the beginning of the story seemingly deteriorates as time goes on and its compelling stuff. Very clever indeed.
Yes the Post Apocalyptic part of the tale is well drawn - but its not really the point. The characters are the point. I really enjoyed this book - it did disturb me. I'm sure that was the intention. Now I have read both of this authors books (After Phoenix, a study in grief, is also superb) so I await her next with bated breathe. Happy Reading Folks!
Set in a Post Apocalyptic world, we follow Rachel who fends for herself and spends as little time as possible in the company of other survivors. Then she seemingly attracts a stalker, someone who invades her solitary existence...and everything changes.
This is very much a character driven novel. The relationship between Rachel and Jez is intriguingly difficult to contemplate - exactly who is stalking who? Ms Mcdonagh has done a terrific job of exploring the nature of obsession - and the world in which these characters reside make that all the more disturbing. I was wondering a lot of the way through how much was simply inside Rachel's head - and it is mostly her story although we do hear from Jez through the form of diary entries. Her mental state, already fragile at the beginning of the story seemingly deteriorates as time goes on and its compelling stuff. Very clever indeed.
Yes the Post Apocalyptic part of the tale is well drawn - but its not really the point. The characters are the point. I really enjoyed this book - it did disturb me. I'm sure that was the intention. Now I have read both of this authors books (After Phoenix, a study in grief, is also superb) so I await her next with bated breathe. Happy Reading Folks!
November 27, 2012
This is the first book I have ever fully given up on. No matter how bad I usually force myself to finish the whole book but with this book I just couldn't waste any more time on it.
I feel that the book wasn't very post-apocalyptic as promised, or if it was, it wasn't described very well. It describes certain aspects so much that it just becomes confusing.
At the point I got to in the book (about 1/4) nothing had really happened. The main character isn't described very well and neither are any other characters that make a difference. Any major explanations on why the world is like this or why anything had happened are not explained.. or at least not well.
I just really expected a much more darker book that described the world after a dramatic incident and was hugely disappointed.
I feel that the book wasn't very post-apocalyptic as promised, or if it was, it wasn't described very well. It describes certain aspects so much that it just becomes confusing.
At the point I got to in the book (about 1/4) nothing had really happened. The main character isn't described very well and neither are any other characters that make a difference. Any major explanations on why the world is like this or why anything had happened are not explained.. or at least not well.
I just really expected a much more darker book that described the world after a dramatic incident and was hugely disappointed.
January 17, 2017
Mind. Blown. I was intrigued and increasingly chilled by this tale - told mainly from the point of view of Rachel, who it quickly becomes clear is suffering from severe malnutrition and possible mental health problems, her vulnerability is palpable. As she and her stalker/stalkee circle one another, is anything quite as it seems? The dark, bleak backdrop, disintegrated infrastructure and derelict house contrast with the little spots of human warmth in the new communities and market. But even there, there is fear and strange, sinister practices.
The main theme is Rachel's progression to ultimately change her circumstances, but at what cost?
Highly recommended, a compelling, gripping read.
The main theme is Rachel's progression to ultimately change her circumstances, but at what cost?
Highly recommended, a compelling, gripping read.
May 21, 2012
If you are afraid of the consequences of severe climate change, this first novel sets out a dark and disturbing landscape changed by extreme weather patterns. The aftermath of these changes reveals a bleak and tenuous attempt for survivors to grip onto a completely changed civilisation. The strange communities and deep sense of isolation which the author creates are unfortunately too credible for comfort. This is mirrored in the unravelling of the central character's mental health and complete breakdown. This is a psychologically disturbing read. Short but sinister, I read this in one sitting and felt stunned by it.
March 19, 2013
In a day and age when we read more Facebook posts in a day than the number of pages from a good book, I could not tear myself away from I HAVE WAITED, AND YOU HAVE COME.
McDonagh's uncanny ability to describe each scene made me feel as though I was inside her novel and was Rachel, her lead character, experiencing every breath and step she took-even in the darkness.
The deeper you delve into this author's debut novel, the more you realize you're in for a ride of your life!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it.
I still cannot believe this is McDonagh's debut novel. Next up for me is AFTER PHOENIX which is the McDonagh's second book.
McDonagh's uncanny ability to describe each scene made me feel as though I was inside her novel and was Rachel, her lead character, experiencing every breath and step she took-even in the darkness.
The deeper you delve into this author's debut novel, the more you realize you're in for a ride of your life!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it.
I still cannot believe this is McDonagh's debut novel. Next up for me is AFTER PHOENIX which is the McDonagh's second book.
September 19, 2012
A good little character study, high on tension throughout most of it and with a great, bleak apocalyptic setting. Really draws you inside the main character's head. Unfortunately doesn't explore most of the interesting ideas/scenarios it sets up and gets a bit repetitive towards the end, slightly spoiling the climax. Feels like a short story, would love to read a more fleshed out vision of this future.
May 24, 2014
This is one of my favourite dystopian novels. It is set in a future where England is ravaged by extreme weather and where the people that are left behind are forced to live in a way dictated to them by nature. Yet this is not so much about the whys and wherefores of climate change, but more about human nature, and what happens when we become solitary animals. A wonderful and very clever novel. I've read this more than once...
June 18, 2013
Sincere thanks to Goodreads and Martine McDonagh for the lovely present.
This book has kept me interested till the last page as it played with the myriad possibilities and impossibilities of the futute world. Everything that you don't want to believe comes true. In the end,however you will ask for more which is the sign of a good story.
This book has kept me interested till the last page as it played with the myriad possibilities and impossibilities of the futute world. Everything that you don't want to believe comes true. In the end,however you will ask for more which is the sign of a good story.
May 28, 2014
I was undecided whether to give this book two or three stars. Two because it felt like it needed more somehow, throughout the book. I realised after finishing it, that the reason there wasn't was intentional. It is a cleverly written, dark book about loneliness and depression. That is a truer depiction of how life would be post apocalypse. I decided on three, as it is good. :)
January 30, 2015
I don't know if 'like' is quite right for this book, it was an interesting and puzzling read. I couldn't quite get to grips with the main character's thinking but I wanted to know more so I kept going.
I wasn't keen on the ending.
I wasn't keen on the ending.
March 24, 2016
Grim, dark, unnerving, claustrophobic - a riveting read!
February 27, 2018
There is much to commend this book. It is set at a time in the future, where disruptive climate change has occurred. This has changed the landscape, changed the weather, and changed the way in which people interact with each other. There has also been an unspecified extinction event, and the population is much fewer than currently lives. In this respect, it reminded me of post-Black Death England, where buildings and land were abundant to be used.
Despite the positives, there is a lot I didn't like about the book. I found the characters to be weak and unbelievable and I found the storyline to be underdeveloped and unconvincing. On the face of it, the author presents us with a tale of stalking, revenge, and violence in post-apocalyptic Britain. And yet there was much that didn't sound right. For example, the main character gets about on a solar powered cart. That just doesn't sound right in a world with next to no maintenance facilities, no evident battery storage, and no evident cannibalisation of vehicles. It didn't ring true.
There were aspects of the social arrangements that did sound about right, but some which chimed a wrong chord. The development of small, self-contained communities, living on the edge of subsistence, did have the right feel. I liked the question of how those banished from such communities would live an interesting one to ponder. I even liked the idea of those who chose not to join a community. However, I found the enforcement of social norms to be poorly described, and I didn't believe that communities living in close proximity to each other wouldn't know a great deal about each other's business. That isn't how village life works.
Overall, I am glad that I read the book. It does paint a picture of a post-apocalyptic dystopia f a world ravaged and impoverished by a changed climate. Such works deserve attention for the warning they present us. It would be good if there were more works envisioning such a state. Personally, I would have liked to see a utopian future in the same setting, just to create a bit of balance. Perhaps that's a challenge for another author?
Despite the positives, there is a lot I didn't like about the book. I found the characters to be weak and unbelievable and I found the storyline to be underdeveloped and unconvincing. On the face of it, the author presents us with a tale of stalking, revenge, and violence in post-apocalyptic Britain. And yet there was much that didn't sound right. For example, the main character gets about on a solar powered cart. That just doesn't sound right in a world with next to no maintenance facilities, no evident battery storage, and no evident cannibalisation of vehicles. It didn't ring true.
There were aspects of the social arrangements that did sound about right, but some which chimed a wrong chord. The development of small, self-contained communities, living on the edge of subsistence, did have the right feel. I liked the question of how those banished from such communities would live an interesting one to ponder. I even liked the idea of those who chose not to join a community. However, I found the enforcement of social norms to be poorly described, and I didn't believe that communities living in close proximity to each other wouldn't know a great deal about each other's business. That isn't how village life works.
Overall, I am glad that I read the book. It does paint a picture of a post-apocalyptic dystopia f a world ravaged and impoverished by a changed climate. Such works deserve attention for the warning they present us. It would be good if there were more works envisioning such a state. Personally, I would have liked to see a utopian future in the same setting, just to create a bit of balance. Perhaps that's a challenge for another author?
January 12, 2018
An interesting book. Not one I necessarily warmed too in terms of style but interesting regardless for a dystopian England, normally they are always set in America!
Rachel is surviving on her own. You don't know what happened necessarily (a disease) but she still has limited electricity and food. Her boyfriend Jason has left her and gone to join a community of other survivors. The story tells how Rachel is trying to seduce a man who runs the local market called Noah. When a man called Jed finds out about he and stalks her like prey....I won't say the ending but not what I was expecting at all.
Rachel is surviving on her own. You don't know what happened necessarily (a disease) but she still has limited electricity and food. Her boyfriend Jason has left her and gone to join a community of other survivors. The story tells how Rachel is trying to seduce a man who runs the local market called Noah. When a man called Jed finds out about he and stalks her like prey....I won't say the ending but not what I was expecting at all.
September 12, 2019
Read for Post-apocalyptic bok club. Sadly long after I missed that meet-up. A tale of loneliness, longing, attraction, fear, set in a world starting to realign into communities following climate-change breakdown. Dark, powerful stuff.
September 1, 2018
I am a big fan of apocalyptic and dystopian fiction but this just didn't hit the mark. Much better books out there.
August 7, 2019
Well written and interesting but felt detached and impersonal, despite the very personal narrative.
January 3, 2020
This had real potential to be weird and disturbing (as I had read it was) but definitely falls short. The style of writing was great and kept you hooked though.
July 19, 2016
I went into this thinking it was a dark post-apocalyptic story, hopefully a good one but all the same lighter than my usual fair, reading it now with the hopes it would help with my 2013 reading funk.
Wrong.
Instead this is a tedious story with next to no character development but plenty of multiple page descriptions on how shes sleeping or cooking eggs. The marketing people would have you believe "Rachel finds herself in a murky territory somewhere between stalking and being stalked. A story of survival and obsession...", a more realistic blurb would be "This is a story of a few horny isolated people being creepy and masturbating" ... I think it would sell more with that written too.
Much in the same way I had a problem with The Road, it's darkness just comes from bad sparse writing and the lack of any great detail for the reader to sink their teeth into. Add that along with next to nothing happening for 90% of the book and it makes for a pretty pointless read, unless you include making a under 200 page novella feel like a 600+ page brick - but with none of the pleasure - an achievement.
Wrong.
Instead this is a tedious story with next to no character development but plenty of multiple page descriptions on how shes sleeping or cooking eggs. The marketing people would have you believe "Rachel finds herself in a murky territory somewhere between stalking and being stalked. A story of survival and obsession...", a more realistic blurb would be "This is a story of a few horny isolated people being creepy and masturbating" ... I think it would sell more with that written too.
Much in the same way I had a problem with The Road, it's darkness just comes from bad sparse writing and the lack of any great detail for the reader to sink their teeth into. Add that along with next to nothing happening for 90% of the book and it makes for a pretty pointless read, unless you include making a under 200 page novella feel like a 600+ page brick - but with none of the pleasure - an achievement.
August 10, 2016
This was a bit of a mess for me. Which is a shame as I really liked the idea of a dystopian / post-event novel, but written in a quality literature way. I liked the way we were immersed straight into the altered world, with no particular explanation as to what had happened. And there was potential for me to like the characters. And McDonagh's explanations at the end, for her intentions, ticked all the boxes. But I felt the novel stayed on one level throughout - it felt quite plodding and slow, despite being short. It never grew beyond the opening pages. .
May 15, 2015
This was a three star read until I got to the epilogue, which really didn't work for me. However, this novel has some strong points, mainly description and the way people start to think in a peculiar way when they have been isolated for a long time. Another thing that didn't work for me was the extent to which some services were still available in this post-apocalyptic world (they have working phones? really? electricity? solar cars? how is this post-apocalyptic, then?).
February 14, 2017
quite disappointed with it. the quote on the book cover says: 'if you like your books dark and twisted, this is for you'. not as dark and twisted as i thought it would be. but maybe there's something wrong with me and not with the book? ;)
May 4, 2013
Rachel, trying to fend for herself in a post-apocalyptic dystopian England, likes to be isolated from the local 'communities' but finds herself being stalked by a local man and is drawn into taking action. It was an o.k. read for me, not the best I have read by far but not bad.
August 4, 2014
A fine afternoon read but just not quite the full ticket. A bag of Scampi Fries when one is craving fish and chips. Sometimes a snack is just the thing, and with the stupid heat wave we are having it was suitably escapist to read about so much rain.
April 18, 2016
A strange book whose cover and blurb somehow promised more, or something different, to what it delivered. Only at the end did I learn it was meant to be a diatribe against climate change; it felt more like a young teenage fantasy, cobbled from other sources.
August 18, 2012
Didn't like this much at all. It tried very hard to be atmospheric and sinister, but most of the time I found it confusing and the characters unrealistic. Disappointing
April 11, 2019
I loved this book. I found it eerie, atmospheric and totally absorbing.
April 15, 2017
I read this year's ago and remember clearly how impressed I was was but disappointed about the shortness as I wanted to keep reading. Want to read this book again!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews